by Alex Wolf
Jenny: Well you have eighteen years to make him fall in love with you.
April: HA! Funny.
Jenny: Just saying ;)
April: You suck.
Jenny: Michael says I’m good at sucking :p
April: TMI – BTW have you told your folks he’s moving in?
Jenny: Pfft no. You know how crazy they are.
April: True… I’ll talk to you later…Brodie just knocked on my door…
Jenny: Don’t leave me hanging too long. I’ll come see you soon. Promise. I need to see your sugar daddy lifestyle in person.
Ugh! I do not have a sugar daddy. I shake my head and pad across the floor to the door.
Brodie
Need anything?”
April’s gaze falls to my abs and down to my workout shorts. Maybe I can channel that physical attraction into something more. We’re having a baby. I’d like us to have a real relationship. One our child can look up to. I don’t want the night we made our child to be nothing but a meaningless fuck.
It’s time I punch my bachelor card for good and think about settling down. A child is a lifetime of responsibility. I don’t take it lightly. Only, I don’t know what April wants. The easy thing would be to ask her, but I don’t want her to feel obligated to be with me because of the kid, and I don’t want her thinking that’s the only reason I am wanting to try. My feelings for her are genuine. I’ve never felt this way around a woman.
I know I need to take my time and let things progress naturally. I need to woo her. Win her over. Show her that even though we only have a physical attraction right now, there can be so much more between us.
Running a towel over my sweaty head, I wait for her to reply. Her cheeks flush and she shakes her head ever so slightly.
“No, I’m good.”
“Klaire will have breakfast ready in about ten minutes. I have a meeting, but after that I’ll be free for the weekend. Thought maybe I could take you around and show you some buildings I have in mind for your boutique.”
“Seriously?” Her whole face warms and she smiles.
Fuck, I could watch her smile like that every day. I’d spend the rest of my life trying to recreate that look on her face.
Her arms hook around my neck with gratitude and excitement. Soft and warm, her baby bump presses into my stomach. Releasing the towel I was using to dry my hair from my grip, I embrace her, holding her against me and breathing her in.
She pulls away, and I immediately feel cold all over. “Sorry. I, umm, got caught up in the moment for a sec. Are we really going to look for a place?”
I nod. “Uhh, yeah. I don’t say shit I don’t mean. I told you I believe in you. That smile looks good on you. Let’s see if we can keep it there.” I touch her nose lightly with the tip of my finger.
“This is all happening so fast.”
I place a palm on each of her cheeks. “I will keep my word. Always. If I promise you something, I will deliver.”
Her eyes close briefly. “Thank you. Just—” She sighs. “Thank you.”
“Don’t mention it. Have to find a building we like.” I probably look like an idiot falling all over myself in front of her, but I don’t give a shit. It’s hard not to take her in my arms and kiss her breathless and senseless. She looks so damn sexy in her little booty-hugging shorts and tank top. The edge of her shirt is riding over her baby bump and I want to go down to my knees and kiss her navel, but I don’t want to freak her out. “Anyway, be ready around one.”
“Okay.” She grins eagerly, and I head across the hallway to get dressed.
April and I spent the weekend touring several possible locations for her boutique but none of them felt right. Her determination and confidence in what she wants is a huge turn on. The woman is driven and wants to work. Weston was afraid that this arrangement would have her bleeding me dry. I felt it in my gut that it wouldn’t be the case with her. It’s nice to know I can read a situation better than him. She’s special, and not because she has kryptonite pussy.
The location needs to be perfect. An area upstairs large enough for her to do her designs and house a nursery for our child. I told her we could hire a nanny, but she rejected the idea quickly, stating she wants to be the one raising her baby. I have a feeling she may change her mind when she tries to juggle a new business and a newborn. Ambitious is an understatement with her.
I keep the thought to myself. Her hormones have her emotions running high. I wouldn’t say I walk on eggshells around her, but I choose my words and battles wisely.
Today is the day we find out the sex of our baby. I reworked my schedule to take the day off. I want to be with her every step of the way.
Stunning. Simply stunning is how I would describe the way she looks right now laying on the exam table with her dress rolled up over her bump. The technician is squirting some jelly on her stomach. Her blonde hair is fanned out around her head as she looks over at me wearing an anxious smile.
Reaching over, I take her hand in mine. I want her to know she has my support one hundred percent. Giving me a gentle squeeze back, I know she appreciates the gesture. A whooshing noise sounds, and the technician explains that that amazing thumping sound is our baby’s heartbeat. It’s so fast.
I’ve never been emotional in my life, but hearing that sound—it’s like everything hits me at once. I’m completely overwhelmed with something I can’t even describe. The tiny life we created together comes into focus on the screen and a tear trickles down my face. Chills buzz up and down my arms as I watch the screen.
“He looks like he’s talking on the phone.” April laughs.
“Do you want to know the sex?” The woman turns to us.
April bites her bottom lip and looks over at me. We’d talked about possibly waiting until birth on the way over here, but I have to know. The anticipation is about to do me in.
“Yes.” I answer for both of us before April can respond.
The lady smiles and moves the wand around. “Congratulations. It’s a boy.”
April smirks at me. “Told you so.”
“Yeah, yeah.”
I’m having a son.
I’m having a son!
April’s eyes linger on mine. I swallow as her warmth penetrates my hard walls. God, I want to kiss her and almost do, but then the technician hands me the printout of the pictures, interrupting the moment. I settle for bringing her hand to my lips, brushing them lightly over her palm.
April gives me a quizzical but happy look.
April
My appointment with the new doctor went well. To celebrate finding out the sex of our baby, Brodie insisted on treating me to ice cream and a shopping trip to an upscale baby boutique.
I can’t deny how adorable he is. He tries to buy the whole damn store. Insists we need everything and that he’s going to have the immaculate apartment cleaned and sterilized from top to bottom.
I don’t know why, but something feels like it’s all too good to be true.
We’re having a great time. It almost feels like we’re a real couple. He’s been sweet and affectionate. When we walk down the street he holds my hand wearing a goofy grin and stands between me and the street. I know he said he wanted a girl but the way his eyes lit up when the ultrasound technician told us we were having a boy, I know he is overjoyed at the prospect of a son to spoil. He’s already talking about hunting trips and going fishing. He said something about wrestling. I guess he and his brother were both on the team in high school. They are definitely built like they were athletes.
As we come out of the baby boutique, a woman runs up to Brodie, squealing. Her arms fling around his neck and his eyes dance with shock and excitement. “Lisa. Wow. Long time no see.”
“I just moved back last week. How are you? God, I’ve missed you.” She pulls back to gaze into his eyes.
I know we’re not together, but something inside me gets territorial. Maybe it’s the hormones but I want to claw her eyes out for hugging him. Fuck, I’m a
mess.
As they gush over one another, I feel completely forgotten and like a third wheel. I shouldn’t be jealous but I am. The way they stand so close and pet each other like lovers would turns my stomach, and I feel the ice cream I had earlier creeping up my throat.
Brodie’s driver is parked a few spaces down. Instead of standing there being awkward or making a scene, I quietly start for the car. That woman is classy and beautiful in a way I’ll never be. Her outfit probably cost more than my whole wardrobe. Why did I think I stood a chance at making this into something real? He belongs with a woman like that. Not a one-night stand that anchored him with a baby.
“April?” Brodie hollers at me and I hesitate to turn around. I put on my best and bravest smile, hiding my unshed tears.
“I was just going to go to the car and give you some privacy.”
The woman, Lisa, looks me over and her eyes immediately narrow on my bump that is growing larger by the day.
“Don’t be crazy. I want Lisa to meet you.” He stares at me like I’ve grown a second head.
I shuffle over to the pair of them.
“It’s a pleasure to meet you.” Her hand goes to my stomach and I flinch, not wanting her to touch me. Why do strangers think it’s okay to grope a pregnant woman’s belly?
“Sorry. Where are my manners? Are you two…?” Her eyes widen as she glances between us.
Brodie surprises me, securing an arm around my waist. “Lisa, this is April, the mother of my son.” He beams with pride, but I notice he was careful not to put a label on me outside of mother of his baby. I can’t blame him. I don’t know why I’m being so weird about this. I never stopped to even wonder if he had someone. I mean, a man like him must have had a ton of relationships. Maybe Lisa is an ex.
“Congratulations.” Her smile is as fake as her boobs.
“We should do lunch. I’d love to pick your brain about the business we’re starting. Does your brother still have his real-estate company?” Brodie carries on with the conversation, totally oblivious to everything happening.
“Yeah.” Her eyes dazzle at the invitation back into his life. Now she has a reason to contact him.
“Great. Call my office this week and we’ll do lunch. I’m eager to start this project.”
“Sounds great.”
They exchange goodbyes and I follow Brodie to the car.
He wants to see her again. If he didn’t he would have asked her to pass along his request.
I feel stupid because today I had let my guard down and thought that maybe we were starting to open up to each other.
“You want to catch a movie or something?”
I get in the car next to him. “Some other time. I’m tired. I think I need to lie down.”
Thoughts of Brodie and her having lunch forces scenarios into my head that have me balling my hands into fists. Like I’ve lost something somehow, but I never really had him to start with.
His hand goes to my knee and gives me a gentle squeeze. “You okay?” His eyes show concern, but I’m pretty sure it’s only because I have his son inside me.
“I’ll be fine. You should probably call your friend and ask her to dinner or something. Get an early start on your project.”
“You think so? You don’t want to come?”
God, he’s clueless. “No. You go. I’ll probably take a bath and sleep all evening.”
I don’t even finish my sentence before he has his phone to his ear inviting her to the restaurant he took me to. In the end, they agree to meet in the bar of her hotel. Perfect. Fitting. They can have drinks before they fuck.
God, I hate myself right now. I’m being irrational, but I can’t stop myself. Maybe it’s jealousy or me being an idiot. Possibly both, but when I get back to the apartment I text Ben and ask him if he wants to meet up.
Brodie
I haven’t talked to Lisa in a year or more. She’d moved to New York to intern for some designer. I didn’t want to get April’s hopes up, but she’d be a perfect asset to our business. Or at least she’d be handy as a consultant. Lisa knows the ins and outs of fashion. I think April and her would make a great team, possibly partners. April said it was her dream to have a boutique and I want to make that happen for her. I don’t know a damn thing about fashion or running a designer-operated store.
Lisa and I used to be fuck buddies, but that was a long time ago. We both moved on with our lives. I hope she doesn’t get the wrong impression about why I asked her to dinner so quickly.
I wish April felt up to coming along. I don’t want to make choices that she won’t be happy with. All of this—everything I’m doing is for her, to give her some security and to show her I’m serious about us raising this baby together.
But, at the end of the day, I want April.
She’s beautiful and sweet. Down to earth. Just a good person. I know she probably thinks I want to meet up with Lisa to fuck her and she’s willing to set aside her pride or whatever feelings she may be having. I probably should have told her that it was simply business, but it does make me hard to see her squirming with some jealousy. It shows me that she does feel something for me.
I haven’t left all my devious ways behind.
Knocking on her bedroom door before I go, I don’t get a response. Maybe she’s asleep, but I can’t leave without making sure she’s fine. She did say she wasn’t feeling so hot. Maybe I should cancel.
Cracking her door open, the light in the bedroom is off but light spills out from her private bathroom. The door is ajar, and I know it’s an invasion of her privacy, but I want to make sure she doesn’t need something before I head out.
Tapping my fist on the door, it gives and fully opens. “April, you decent?”
“I’m in the bath tub. You can come in.”
When I walk inside the room, I’m not prepared for the sight before me. April is in the tub. Her hair is pulled up on her head in a messy bun. One leg is propped up on the side as she glides a razor over her tan skin.
Fuck me. My cock wants to explode at the sight in front of me. Everything in me screams to claim her. To lift her up from the tub and take her to bed. Lay her out and eat her pussy until she can’t see straight. I need her coming on my face. I want to hear her cry out as she unravels from my touch.
“Are you heading out?”
“Yeah. I wanted to make sure you were okay and see if you need anything before I go.”
“I’m fine. You don’t have to wait on me hand and foot. I’ve got Klaire here, and I can drive and manage things on my own.”
Damn. I’m smothering her. April is used to being on her own. She’s probably uncomfortable with all the attention I keep laying on her. Hell, I practically offer to wipe her ass, but I just want things to go well. I want to make sure her pregnancy is a happy and healthy one.
“Right, well you have my number. I’m not sure what time I’ll get in.”
“It’s fine. Go have fun and catch up with your friend. Go do what single men do.”
I don’t miss the dark look in her eyes when she says single. Is she telling me I have her permission to fuck Lisa? I don’t need it. It makes my blood boil nonetheless. Not because she thinks she needs to give me her blessing to go out and fuck someone, because if I want to go and fuck one or ten women I will, but I wish she’d tell me if she has feelings for me. I wish she’d open up and be honest if she doesn’t want me to go out to dinner with another woman.
Stealing a glance at my watch, I see I should’ve been out the door ten minutes ago. “Right. I gotta go. If you’re still up when I get in, we should talk.”
“Okay. Sure. Have a nice time.” She shifts in the tub to rinse her leg off and her belly and tits pop up out of the water. Fuck. I never knew the sight of a naked pregnant woman could do it for me like this.
Leaving the room in a hurry is all I can do to keep from jerking her up, bending her over the sink, and fucking her brains out.
When I get to dinner Lisa is already seated and having a
glass of wine.
“Sorry, traffic.” It’s a lie, but I don’t give a shit.
“No worries, I haven’t been waiting long. Though I must confess, I can’t believe you wanted to meet up so soon. Is playing house not all it’s cracked up to be?” She grins over the brim of her glass, taunting me as her long lashes flutter.
I cock my head to the side. “It’s great actually. I asked you here on business. On the street earlier, I didn’t really explain why I wanted to grab lunch. I have a proposition for you.”
“Don’t tell me you want me to be your mistress. We had a good run but that was before I met Karma.”
I blink. “Karma?”
“My girlfriend. The super model.”
“I have no idea who that is but congratulations.”
“Thank you. I’m happy for you. Have to admit though. It was a shock to see you with a woman on your arm and starting a family.”
“Shock to me too, but a welcomed one. Anyway, the whole point to this meeting is April designs her own costumes and jewelry and wants to open a boutique. I thought maybe your brother would know a good listing. All the places we’ve seen are shit.” I pause, meeting her gaze. “You have experience in fashion. I’d like to bring you in to work with April on this. I can’t dedicate the time it needs. I have my own workload to handle at the firm.”
“I’m intrigued. I’d need to see her work, but it’s tempting. I do miss being in Dallas. Does she have a portfolio?”
“I’m not sure. I haven’t told her about your part in this yet.”
Her brows pique. “Why not?”
“Because I’m an asshole and like making her jealous. Our arrangement is unique.”
“How so? You aren’t together?”
I shake my head and take a drink of my whiskey. “Nah, it’s a highly complicated situation. We’re living together, but I’m working on it.”